St. Landry democrat., 1887-07-14
CORN AND POTATOES.
How to Grow Seed Which Insure Large
and Profitable Crops.

and Profitable Crops.
1t is impossible to grow a good crop
from inferior seed-the better the seed
the better the crop. To grow the best
crop of corn the very best of the seed
that is to be planted should be selected
for the next crop. The best ground
should be selected, and this portion
plowed extra deep, using narrow fur
rows so as to break up the soil, making
it fine and mixing the top soil with
that thrown up from the bottom of the
burrows. Ii the soil is rich, one foot
deepis not too much, provided the fur
rows are narrow, not more than six to
eight inches wide. THE depth of plow-
ing must depend on the soil. Six
inches is deep enough on ordinary soil
After blowing, harrow thoroughly
with a harrow that will 60 as deep as
possible, so as to make the soil fine,
deep and pliable. When this is done
mark off the ground, the usual width
between rows, and the same width the
other way. Plant the corn about three
inches deep and if the seed is sure to
grow put but one grain in place. Ii
the seed is doubtful put in two or three
grains, and when three or four inches
high thin out to one stalk in place,
giving three feet to four feet between
the stalks. This will insure the very
best growth and will give greatly in
creased vitality for seed purposes.
The true principle in growing corn
for seed is to give sufficient distance be.
tween the stalks to favor the largest
growth, allowing no interference of
one stalk with another. This will per-
nit the most perfect action of the sun.
light and heat upon the soil and plants,
imparting to both the greatest possible
amount of plant food. Small-growing
varieties of corn may be grown three
feet apart between the stalks, the rows
being three feet six inches, or the usual
width of the planter, three feet ten
inches. For large-growing varieties,
three feet six inches to four feet between
stalks, and usual distance between
rows. For large-growing sorts. four feet
by four feet each way would perhaps
give the very best results. In all cases
cultivate thoroughly not less than
once week. Give deep culture at first
and shallow culture after the roots be-
gin 20 spread, continuing the cultiva-
ton until the grains of the ear begin
to harden. The fact that farmers Sc
lect seed corn from hills having several
stalks may, and doubtless does, &C
count largely for small yields of crops.
High breeding in growing seed corn,
will tell on the general crop, fully as
much as it has done on all kinds of live
stock.
Potatoes for seed: Select the very
largest, smoothest, finest and most per-
fectly formed, to grow your own seed
from. Plow the ground after the selec-
ton of the very best portion, the same
as for corn, deep and narrow burrows.
Prepare the ground same as for corn.
Make rows three feet six inches apart.
Cut the potatoes to large pieces; better
still, plant whole potatoes. Plant
eighteen inches to two feet apart, in
hills, and when three or four inches
high, thin out carefully to one stalk in
hill, leaving the largest and best
sprout to grow. Give thorough cultiva-
ton, same as for corn, until the
vines begin to fall down and
cover the ground. Be careful to hill
up a little at every cultivation,
not leaving the killing up to be done
all ct the last Gu ltivation. This course
pursued vii. give large, smooth pota-
toes for seed, possessing the greatest
possible amount of vitality for seed
purposes. The difference between
growing seed corn or potatoes in hills
in the usual way, and that of giving
proper distances between the stalk, is
about equal to the difference between
civilized and savage life.-Cor. Farm,